Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive will probably be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's high submit, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief govt.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief government.

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's top put up, won 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick the new leader. Lee solely wanted a simple majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was formerly Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year time period on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Govt Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's governed below the "one nation, two techniques" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a major overhaul final 12 months after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to control the city.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his performance can be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

His reply was that his election was "run in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong."

"Anyone, who in response to the legislation is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of support, of course, it encourages me and provides me the robust confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by lots of election committee members."

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been picked to be the town's subsequent chief executive.

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a word final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's selection of Lee as the subsequent Hong Kong leader.

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who played a leading function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security slightly than preserving its position as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and business center to enjoying a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to reply to a serious shock."

In step with China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an attempt to blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however started easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed resulting from a surge in Covid cases within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear level that I am very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press conference, Lee was also asked how he will show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we've got challenges now due to the need to control Covid-19 and a number of the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I am very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is an important thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland."

He stated he will likely be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the situations that will probably be required for normal travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally known as on citizens to follow the advice and measures of the government, and stated the city will seek to boost its vaccination rate. Based on authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have acquired their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

Hong Kong's outgoing chief executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The present-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the assist needed for the assumption of workplace by the new term of government."

Correction: This story has been up to date to replicate that John Lee received 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief executive election. An earlier version of the story misrepresented that determine.